Man, 24, charged with murder of ‘loveable joker’ Lee Jay Hatley

A MAN has appeared at the Old Bailey charged with the murder of Barnsbury man Lee Jay Hatley and the attempted murder of a woman.

Bradley Mark Wood, 24, appeared via video link from prison as the charges of murder and attempted murder of a 22- year-old woman were read out to him at the short hearing on Wednesday. He was formally charged at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

Wood, of no fixed address but originally from Islington, was arrested on Saturday after Lee Jay Hatley, also known as Lee J, 29, was stabbed to death and the woman sustained knife injuries during a small gathering at the Dover Court Estate in Canonbury on June 26.

Tributes have poured in for Lee J, who was described as “loveable, cheeky and funny, always the joker” by his mother Lesley Hatley. He had a two-year-old son called Nicholas.

A gate outside his home in Morland Mews, Barnsbury, was transformed into a makeshift shrine with flowers and heartfelt notes. One note said: “Flea Jay!! Can’t believe this happened to you. Until we meet again… love you always.”

Lee J was a close friend to 28-year-old Jonathon “JJ” McPhllips who was also stabbed to death in Upper Street in February. The former classmates at Highbury Grove school both died at the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel. No one has been charged for JJ’s murder to date.

In an emotional statement calling for an end to knife crime, Ms Hatley said: “This has been the worst thing ever, but unfortunately I am not alone in my grief. How many more parents will have to lose their child to yet another senseless knife crime before the government actually sits up and realises that this is becoming a daily occurrence?

“The government needs to be stricter on knife- carrying laws and prisons should be harder, not a holiday. All us parents who have lost a child/ young adult to knife crime need justice. Justice for Lee J and Justice for JJ.”

A date for Lee J’s funeral has not been set but a fundraising campaign to help pay for it has raised just under £3,000 in a week.

Wood has been remanded in custody and is expected to appear at the Old Bailey on September 20 where he will enter a plea.